Campus News

Job shadowing — new resource on the LMA Hub

July 16th, 2019

The Leadership and Management Team has added job shadowing to the LMA Hub, providing great resources for your job shadowing needs.

Whether you want to…

  • organise job shadowing for yourself
  • host it for someone else, or
  • are a manager wanting to support job shadowing

…take a look at the resources to find out more.

Job shadowing can give you the opportunity to learn from an experienced colleague about a particular area of work, performance or behaviour, and the LMA Hub Job shadowing pages contain both at-a-glance and more detailed guidance designed to help you to make that happen.

To find out more visit the LMA Coaching and mentoring webpage and select the job shadowing option.

For more information contact Christine Wilkinson, Management Development Manager in the Leadership and Management Team.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in News, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Job shadowing — new resource on the LMA Hub

REF 2021: applying for reduction in research outputs due to personal circumstances

July 12th, 2019

The University is preparing for our REF 2021 submission and eligible academic staff are each required to submit an average of 2.5 research outputs.

There are, however, a number of personal circumstances, such as maternity leave, parental leave and early career researchers whose roles recently commenced, that Research England recognises may result in a reduction in time available for research during the REF period, which runs from 2014 to 2020.

Please note that under REF 2021 it is the responsibility of the eligible staff member to voluntarily apply for a reduction in research outputs.

The University has developed a process to support employees to voluntarily declare relevant personal circumstances and the impact these circumstances have had on the volume of outputs they have produced within the REF period.

Employees are encouraged to apply for a reduction of outputs based on the criteria as outlined in the University’s REF Code of Practice.

Please also see our REF 2021 workspace page and REF 2021 guidance for submission 2019/01 for further information.

If you believe your circumstances meet any of the criteria for reductions, please complete the Declaration of Individual Staff Circumstances online form by 31 July 2019.

Soma, Mukherjee, REF and Research Policy Manager, said: “We recognise that circumstances may change after this date, if this is the case, please contact your HR Business Partner or the Head of HR Business Partnering.”

If you have any questions, please contact your HR Business Partner or email: BR-personalcirc-REF@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in News, Uncategorized | Comments Off on REF 2021: applying for reduction in research outputs due to personal circumstances

Leaders honoured in summer 2019 graduation ceremonies

July 11th, 2019

This summer’s graduation ceremonies are scheduled to take place from Wednesday 17 July until Wednesday 24 July and will see more than 6,000 students cross the stage. Joining them will be nine famous names; leaders in their respective fields. 

The ceremonies will take place at the David Ross Sports Village on University Park, where graduands and their families will join nine honorary graduands who are being celebrated for their exceptional contribution in their chosen professions.  

The honorary graduands include: 

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus 

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), the first WHO Director-General to have been elected by the World Health Assembly and the first person from the Africa Region to serve as WHO’s chief officer. After taking office in 2017, Tedros outlined key priorities to transform WHO, including universal health coverage, health emergencies, and health impacts of climate and environmental change. Globally recognised as a health scholar, researcher and diplomat, Tedros held a number of important national and global public health positions prior to his role at WHO, including Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Tedros is a Nottingham alumnus, having received a PhD in Public Health Medicine in 2000. 

Sir David Greenaway – Doctor of Laws 

Sir David Greenaway served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham for almost a decade before retiring from the role in 2017. Sir David was founding Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Globalisation and Economic Policy, and has acted as adviser to the World Bank, European Commission and United Nations. His numerous contributions to professional service include being Chair of the Russell Group of Universities, while his contributions to public policy include roles as Chair of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and leading major reviews for Government on the training of doctors in the UK, and on uninsured driving. In 2014, Sir David received a knighthood, in recognition of his services to Higher Education and contributions to public policy; and in 2017 was created a Dato’ in Malaysia. He is also an Honorary Citizen of Ningbo, and Honorary Freeman of Nottingham. 

Henry Normal – Doctor of Letters 

Henry Normal is a leading writer, poet, TV and film producer. Establishing Baby Cow Productions in 1999, Henry executive produced all, and script-edited many, of the 400 shows broadcast during his 17-year tenure as Managing Director. Highlights of Baby Cow’s output included Gavin and StacyThe Mighty BooshRed Dwarf and Alan Partridge. He has also produced the four-time Oscar nominated film Philomena, the recent documentary of Nottingham Forest’s European Cup victory, I Believe in Miracles, and The Alan Partridge Movie among others. Founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Literature Festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival, Henry performs poetry at festivals around the UK and has several poetry books published together with an acclaimed book about his autistic son, Johnny, entitled A Normal Family. 

Dr Magdalena Skipper – Doctor of Science 

Dr Magdalena Skipper is the Editor-in-Chief of the world’s leading scientific journals, Nature. Completing her first degree at Nottingham in genetics in 1994, Magdalena went on to undertake a PhD at the University of Cambridge. Following postdoctoral research at Imperial Cancer Research Laboratories in London (CRUK today) she moved into scientific publishing. Joining Nature Publishing Group as Editor of Nature Reviews Genetics, she subsequently held a number of editorial roles, including Senior Editor of Nature and Editor-in-Chief of Nature Communications. In 2018, Magdalena became the first woman to be appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of Nature in its 150-year history. As a leading and inspirational figure in scientific publishing, Magdalena led an initiative in 2018 by Nature and the Estée Lauder Company to launch two global awards that celebrate the exceptional achievements of female scientists and those working to promote greater inclusiveness in science. 

The full list of honorary graduands is as follows: 

  • Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization 
  • Sir David Greenaway, former Vice-Chancellor for the University of Nottingham 
  • Henry Normal, writer, poet, and TV and film director 
  • Dr Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of the world’s leading scientific journal, Nature 
  • Tim Gocher, founder and CEO of Dolma Foundation 
  • Richard Jenkins OBE, retired from HM Diplomatic Service 
  • Robert Bradley, former Senior Colliery Surveyor and coalmining historian 
  • Victor Cocker CBE, former Chief Executive of Severn Trent plc 
  • Baronness Lola Young OBE, Cross-Bench Peer in the House of Lords

The ceremonies will be broadcast live on the University website. 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Announcements, News, People | Comments Off on Leaders honoured in summer 2019 graduation ceremonies

Vice-Chancellor’s surgery — new sessions available

July 9th, 2019

The Vice-Chancellor is running two new surgery sessions available to all members of staff at the University.

The sessions enable any member of staff to speak to the VC about anything.

Places should be booked in advance and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Dates and locations:

  • Tuesday 20 August, between 2pm – 4pm: University Park
  • Friday 8 November, between 10am – 12 noon: Jubilee Campus

For further information, including how to register your interest, please visit the VC Surgeries webpage.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in News | Comments Off on Vice-Chancellor’s surgery — new sessions available

National Student Survey results 2019

July 4th, 2019

The 2019 National Student Survey (NSS) results for the University of Nottingham are now available in the NSS Department Explorer.

Students’ overall satisfaction with their course remains at 84% as in 2018, placing the University 14th within the Russell Group, with a strong performance in teaching and learning.

The strongest performance at an institutional level continues to be teaching on the course (84%), learning opportunities (82%) and learning resources (88%). In addition, the University saw improved results in academic support, organisation and management, student voice and the Students’ Union.

Eight departments achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 90% or higher: Veterinary Medicine and Science (97%), Theology & Religious Studies (94%), Pharmacy (94%), Geography (93%), Mathematical Sciences (92%), Chemical & Environmental Engineering (92%), Classics & Archaeology (91%) Philosophy (91%).

The strongest improvements since 2018 are in Politics & International Relations (74% to 82%), Geography (87% to 93%), Theology & Religious Studies (89% to 94%), Modern Languages & Cultures (77% to 81%) and Mathematical Sciences (87% to 92%).

Further analysis of the data will be undertaken over the next few weeks to help inform actions to continue to maintain and improve the student experience at the University of Nottingham.

About the NSS

The annual survey consists of 27 questions covering course teaching, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources, learning community, student voice and the Students’ Union. At the end of the survey students are asked to give their university an overall satisfaction score.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Announcements, News, Side news story, Teaching | 3 Comments »

New principles for working with teaching affiliates

July 4th, 2019

The University of Nottingham and the University and College Union Branch agree that those engaged to provide teaching on ‘casual worker’ arrangements make a valued and valuable contribution to the University and are committed to work collaboratively to support them.

Used appropriately, the involvement of industry experts, postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff as Teaching Affiliates can enrich our undergraduates’ learning whilst providing postgraduate students with valuable teaching experience and income to progress their academic careers as they pursue their own studies.

Following longstanding independent and collaborative exploration of the support currently offered to Teaching Affiliates, on behalf of the University, Human Resources and colleagues representing each Faculty, together with UCU Branch representatives, have agreed a shared commitment to ensure fair pay and conditions through a new set of Principles for Working with Teaching Affiliates that will apply to both current and new engagements with effect from 23 September 2019.

The Principles detail how managers should ensure that payment practice and workload time assessment is consistent with Faculty norms for staff on contracts, and ensure that those engaged on casual worker arrangements are not asked to undertake work for which they are not paid.

The Principles ensure that the scope of activity is specified in engagement letters – whether people are engaged via Human Resources or Unitemps – for example whether activity will include direct teaching, preparation, assessment, or pastoral student support. They also encourage review by Faculties to ensure the most appropriate engagement type is identified when considering a particular temporary role or assignment.

Faculties will ask managers of teaching to review individual arrangements to ensure compliance with the Principles when they come into effect on 23 September 2019.

A Task & Finish Group, led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeremy Gregory, and including Faculty and UCU representatives, is being established to review the application of the Principles, building on the joint platform they have established and to consider further opportunities to improve models of engagement for hourly paid teaching.

The intention is for any revised arrangements arising from the Task & Finish Group to be implemented in time for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Announcements, News, Research, Side news story, Teaching | 1 Comment »

The Employee Hub: access staff discounts on your mobile device

July 2nd, 2019

The Employee Hub is a single location providing you with information and easy access to everything relating to employee benefits, discounts, recognition and wellbeing.

From high street discounts to the Employee Assistance Programme, the Employee Hub will put it all at your fingertips and we are constantly updating our offers for staff.

Did you know? The Employee Hub is mobile-friendly! Just go to www.uonemployeehub.com.

This month’s exclusive staff discounts

Find out about the offers below and search over 6,000 more on the ‘Staff Discounts’ section of the Employee Hub.

  • Virgin experience days: get 25% off when you make a purchase with Virgin Experience Days until Wednesday 10 July
  • Swan: save 35% on all Swan kitchen appliances and homeware when you make a purchase until Sunday 14 July
  • Reward Mobile: save up to 26% on a range of mobile phone deals with Reward Mobile when you use the pre-discounted site
  • Wickes: save 12% when you order or load a Wickes reloadable card until Wednesday 31 July

Competitions

Daily prize draw (Monday 8 July – Friday 12 July). There’s a chance to win a family ticket to one of the following UK Merlin attractions every day in our prize draw:

  • Alton Towers
  • Chessington World of Adventures
  • Legoland Windsor
  • Thorpe Park
  • Warwick Castle

The competition runs daily from Monday 8 July to Friday 12 July 2019.

To enter each day, visit the ‘Staff Discounts’ section of the Employee Hub and answer the quiz questions!

To find out more, call 01908 303531.

Also on the Employee Hub:

  • The Wellbeing Hub
  • The Employee Assistance Programme
  • More than 6,000 employee lifestyle discounts
  • TOTUM (previously NUS card)
  • Employee recognition and career development
  • Travel and sustainability including the Cycle to Work Scheme

Plus.. we’ve increased our eVoucher offering.

You can now get instant discounts at even more retailers when you purchase an eVoucher on the ‘Staff Discounts’ section of the Employee Hub.

You’ll even be able to enter the amount you would like to purchase (to the nearest £)*, which means you’ll no longer have to order multiple vouchers to be able to make a purchase. (*Most retailers will be open value – check the Staff Discounts website for full details.)

Here are just a few examples of where you can save

  • B&Q
  • Footlocker
  • lastminute.com
  • New Look
  • Nike
  • Not on the High Street
  • Pizza Express Tesco
  • The Entertainer
  • Thomas Cook

To find out more, call 01908 303531.

Tags: , ,
Posted in News, Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Employee Hub: access staff discounts on your mobile device

Swimming lessons on campus with UoN Sport

July 1st, 2019

UoN Sport will be running a summer swimming lesson programme from Monday 29 July to Sunday 1 September.

The extensive Swim School programme is open to all ages and abilities, from babies who will feel the splash of water for the first time to juniors looking to develop and adults learning to swim.

The aim is to provide everyone, whatever the ability, with the best experience in a comfortable, safe and fun environment. Expert coaches will be on hand to get the best out of your technique and ability.

The programme includes 1-2-1 crash courses, group lesson crash courses, 1-2-1 pay weekly lessons and group lesson pay weekly lessons for Juniors and adults.

For more information, and to book your place, please visit the UoN Sport webpage.

Tags: , ,
Posted in News | Comments Off on Swimming lessons on campus with UoN Sport

Putting Nottingham’s global diversity in the picture

July 1st, 2019

The University of Nottingham has unveiled a special portrait series aimed at celebrating the outstanding contribution of international colleagues.

The Celebrating Our International Colleagues exhibition features some of the many international colleagues who support excellence across the academic, technical and professional services.

It’s the second in a programme of exhibitions aimed at diversifying the University’s approach to portraiture across the university’s UK campuses and follows last year’s successful Women at Nottingham exhibition.

The latest series features 31 photographic portraits which resulted from a call for nominations across the institution for international colleagues (individuals or teams) whose contributions make a positive difference to working or studying at Nottingham.

The portraits will remain on display in the Trent Committee Room and Council Dining Room for a minimum of 12 months before being distributed around the university.

Professor Jeremy Gregory, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, said: “Our international colleagues play a huge role in the life and success of our university. This latest series of portraits is a fitting way to celebrate all that they do and will be a lasting reminder of their invaluable contribution for many years to come.”

The portrait exhibition will be formally launched by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West at a special celebration event in Trent Building on Tuesday 9 July.

Colleagues are welcome to view the portraits during the following specially-organised viewing slots:

  • 30pm-6pm, Wednesday 10 July
  • 5pm-7pm, Thursday 11 July
  • 3pm-5pm, Tuesday 30 July
  • 12pm-2pm, Wednesday 31 July

Tags: ,
Posted in Main News Story, News, People | Comments Off on Putting Nottingham’s global diversity in the picture

RIBA National Award for Teaching and Learning Building

June 27th, 2019

A state-of-the-art building on University Park campus has won a National Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The Teaching and Learning Building has been recognised with the prestigious award for its significant contribution to architecture.

Features of the building, which opened in late 2018, include a number of teaching rooms and classrooms, multiple individual and group study spaces and a computer lab. Other features include a 306-seat lecture theatre with triple projection and a learning lab, both with Windows Surface Hubs.

RIBA explained: “The Teaching and Learning Building is arranged around a simple idea of maintaining key circulation routes through the campus that also connect to a series of teaching blocks around a central atrium. These blocks are then pushed and pulled to relate to the building’s neighbours, a 20th Century villa and the Hallward Library.

“The entire building is set out on a rigorous one metre grid. A white terracotta tile rain screen, whose depth of reflection and subtle colouration continually changes as light falls on each elevation, defines the upper façade of the blocks. Below a datum line, that is set out from the neighbouring library, the plinth is detailed in finished masonry. These materials have been chosen carefully and the building should age gracefully because of it.” Read the full description here.

The Teaching and Learning Building was put forward for the accolade after winning a Regional Award and a Special Award for Sustainability at the RIBA East Midlands 2019 awards last month. The East Midlands ceremony also saw a University of Nottingham student, Ross Burns, be awarded one of two RIBA East Midland Student Awards for 2018, for his project The Isle of Awakening.

Ross’s work had been described by RIBA judges as: “A standout submission representing a high-quality Part 1 design that met all aspects of the student awards brief/criteria. A range of traditional hand drawings and models woven into a series of story boards illustrating a clear understanding of place and context. The design displayed a strong tectonic approach to materiality and architectural expression.”

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in News | Comments Off on RIBA National Award for Teaching and Learning Building